The most pressing social and philosophical challenges of our time can’t be solved by any one discipline. They are deeply interconnected, demanding insights from across the sciences, humanities, and arts. Whether you're driven to tackle real-world challenges, explore the fundamental questions of human experience, or build something meaningful around your passions, Interdisciplinary Studies equips you to think across boundaries, stay curious, and channel your creativity into a purposeful, career-ready degree.

Unlike traditional degrees that require you to specialize in one area, Interdisciplinary Studies empowers you to engage with emerging questions, tackle real-world issues, and follow your personal passions. Rather than focusing narrowly on one discipline, you'll build a personalized
degree by combining Minors and Microprograms, which offer greater flexibility and adaptability than traditional Majors. This structure allows you to explore a range of fields, develop multiple areas of expertise, and tailor your education to reflect your interests.

If at any point you decide to focus more deeply on a particular area—by adding a Major, for example—you’re welcome to do so, as long as you meet the admission requirements for that program.

Feeling unsure about how to build your degree? Don’t worry—you’re not expected to figure it all out right away. You’ll learn everything you need to know in AHL1100: Build Your Interdisciplinary Degree, a course designed to guide you step by step through the process. In this foundational course, you’ll work closely with your professor and peers to design a degree that aligns with your aspirations and prepares you for the future you want to create. For now, why not start exploring the Minors, Microprograms, and Majors (below) that could shape your
self-directed academic path? 

Please note! There are several sections of AHL1100 offered, so make sure you choose the correct one! Look for the section where “Build Your Interdisciplinary Degree” appears in the subtitle—this is the version designed specifically for students in the Interdisciplinary Studies program.

You’ll build a personalized degree by combining minors and microprograms that reflect your interests and goals. At the heart of the program is our foundational course, AHL1100: Build Your Interdisciplinary Degree (soon to be renamed—check for the subtitle!). In this course, you’ll work closely with your professor and peers to design a degree that aligns with your aspirations and prepares you for the future you want to create.

Browse the Minors, Microprograms, and Majors that will serve as the building blocks of a degree aligned with your passions, interests, and goals.

The BA in Interdisciplinary Studies is designed to be flexible so you can build a degree around your interests and career goals. There’s no one path—and that’s the point.

Below are a few illustrative combinations of minors, microprograms, and electives tailored to various career directions, each based on a four-year, 120-unit degree. These are just suggestions to help you imagine the possibilities.

Note: A 3-year degree is also possible. Students can scale back the number of minors or electives to complete a strong academic program with 90 units. Many professional programs (including some teacher’s colleges and law schools) only require three years of undergraduate study.